The South Korean film "Once We Were Us" has shown strong box office performance at the start of 2026. On the afternoon of January 11, the Korean Film Council officially announced that the film has surpassed 1 million viewers, becoming the first South Korean film released in 2026 to achieve this milestone.
The film was officially released on December 31, 2025, and it took only 12 days to reach one million viewers, making it a particularly outstanding performer during the beginning of the year. This achievement not only reflects the film's steady positive word-of-mouth but also demonstrates the continued interest of audiences in emotional dramas.
To commemorate this important milestone, lead actors Moon Ga-young and Koo Kyo-hwan, along with director Kim Do-young, jointly released handwritten thank-you messages to express their gratitude to the audience who went to the theaters to support the film. Through this gesture, the production team conveyed how much they valued the enthusiastic response from the audience.
"Once Upon a Time" is a remake of the Chinese film "Us and Them," telling the story of Eun-ho (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Jung-won (Moon Ga-young) who unexpectedly reunite ten years after ending their passionate relationship. The reunion not only awakens their long-buried memories but also forces them to confront their past emotions and unresolved regrets. The film, with its restrained yet delicate emotional portrayal, depicts the complex relationship between time, love, and growth.



